A UK study suggests that people who regularly travel more than 15 miles from home are more likely to report being in good health than those who stay at home. Photo by J Whatley/Wikimedia Commons
January 4 (UPI) — People who regularly travel more than 15 miles from home are more likely to report being in good health than those who stay closer to home.
A University College London-led study released Wednesday, which looked at travel to the north of England, found residents had worse health conditions than elsewhere, researchers said. Access to transportation is inadequate in many rural and suburban areas. .
Researchers found that people who travel to different locations more often are more likely to see friends and family, and this increased social interaction is associated with improved health.
The scientists said their findings, published in the Journal of Transport & Health, provide strong evidence for the need to invest in improved roads and access to trains and buses. said.
For their study, the researchers conducted an online survey of a nationally representative sample of 3,014 inhabitants in northern England.
Previous research has shown that travel restrictions contribute to economic disadvantages and reduced well-being in communities, but the impact on people’s health has not been analyzed before.
Dr Paulo Anciaes, lead author of the study and researcher at the Bartlett Department of Environment, Energy and Resources at University College London, said in a news release: For greater social participation and better health. ”
The investigators used a research technique called “pathway analysis.” This highlights the direct and indirect impact of obstacles on the out-of-region movement of people.
They examined perceived constraints to travel outside the region, such as the lack of adequate public transport, as well as frequency of travel, number of different places visited, distance traveled, car use and publicity to help people examined the association between self-rated health and Use of transportation.
They found that the associations between travel restrictions, social participation, and health were stronger among people over the age of 55, who were more likely to have contact with friends less frequently, and to reduce participation in clubs and social activities. I discovered something.
Seniors over the age of 55 are more likely to be mobile-restricted and lonely, Anciaes said in a release.
He also said that northern England could be experiencing population decline in certain areas as young people move to cities in search of jobs and better travel options. A limited older generation is left behind, with less social participation and lower general health.
In an October 2022 study, Anciaes found that congested roads in the UK are having a negative impact on people’s mental and physical health.
